Effects of different cellulose sources on the structure of the hindgut flagellate community in Reticulitermes virginicus (Isoptera : Rhinotermitidae)

Because subterranean termites are nutritionally dependent on cellulose, the y are not only important structural pests, but are also ecologically signif icant. However, subterranean termites cannot efficiently digest cellulose w ithout their hindgut communities of cellulolytic, flagellated protists in t he orders Hypermastigida and Oxymonadida. We investigated the effects of fo ur different cellulose sources (filter paper, birch, pine and red oak) on t he structure of the flagellate communities inhabiting the hindgut of the su bterranean termite Reticulitermes virginicus Banks by assessing the change in relative abundance of individual flagellate species, Filter paper and bi rch had the most effects on Trichonympha agilis Leidy and Pyrsonympha minor Powell. In both cases, the relative abundance of T. agilis decreased while that of P. minor increased. This effect was most striking in the communiti es feeding on filter paper: T. agilis and P. minor essentially switched pla ces in terms of community dominance. Despite increases in the relative abun dance of T. agilis and P. minor, the overall structure of the community fee ding on pine remained the same with the exception of a sharp decline in the relative abundance of Dinenympha fimbriata Kirby. Red oak had no effect on flagellate community structure. However, termites feeding on red oak died between the fifth and sixth sample dates.